The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card is the best personal Southwest card for frequent flyers who want maximum value. Its perks—including a travel credit, upgraded boardings, and Companion Pass boost—easily justify the annual fee.
This is the card to get if you fly Southwest multiple times per year. The $149 annual fee is offset immediately by a $75 Southwest travel credit, and the four upgraded boardings (in the A1–A15 group) can easily cover the rest. Add in 7,500 anniversary points and an annual 10,000-point Companion Pass boost, and you’re well on your way to earning one of the most valuable perks in domestic travel. If Southwest is your airline of choice—even just a few times per year—this card delivers consistent, real-world value.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card offers the same 50,000-point sign-up bonus as the other two personal cards, but its added benefits make it the top choice for regular Southwest travelers. While its $149 annual fee is the highest of the three, it delivers the most value in return.
This card may not be the right fit if you rarely fly Southwest, so the perks won’t offset the annual fee. Or you’ve earned a Southwest personal card sign-up bonus within the last 24 months and are ineligible for another until that window resets.
Southwest airlines carries the most passengers in North America.
I’ll admit it — Southwest isn’t my favorite airline when it comes to the in-flight experience. The boarding process can be stressful, and the lack of seat assignments isn’t ideal. But the points? Incredibly easy to earn and redeem. And with no change fees or blackout dates, Southwest makes it easy to book, cancel, or adjust plans as needed. That flexibility has made a big difference for me. I’ve used points to fly family in for Holiday visits, sent my kids to visit friends across the country, and booked spontaneous weekend getaways — all without spending cash. I may not love the flight itself, but I love what the points allow me to do.
| Bonus Points | Minimum Spend | Point Value | Annual Value | Annual Fee |
1st Year Value
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50,000 | $1,000 | 1.3 ¢ | $0 | $149 |
$514
|
| Best Value | Differentiating Perks | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Companion Pass, US & Caribbean Flights | 7500 bonus points annually, 4 A-list boarding, $75 travel credit | SW Pers 1/24 , 5/24 , Chase 2/30 , Chase 4/6 |
3X points
3.9¢ Per Dollar Spent
1X points
1.3¢ Per Dollar Spent
2X points
2.6¢ Per Dollar Spent
2X points
2.6¢ Per Dollar Spent
2X points
2.6¢ Per Dollar Spent
2X points
2.6¢ Per Dollar Spent
2X points
2.6¢ Per Dollar Spent
Transfer To Spouse/Partner Yes - $$
Transfer To Friends Yes
Outside Point System Southwest Rapid Rewards
1:1 81% value retained
3:1 62% value retained
5:2 33% value retained
You're not eligible for a new card bonus if you have received a bonus from a personal Southwest card within the last 24 months
Your application will be declined if 5 new cards are reported on your personal credit report in the past 24 months
You'll be declined if you apply for a third Chase card of any kind within 30 days
Chase will decline your application you apply for a 5th Chase card (personal or BUSINESS) in 6 months
Below is a snapshot of where this card performs best compared to the other cards in our database:
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus - Earn 85,000 points after spending $3000 in 3 months, $69/annual fee.
- Southwest Premier Credit Card - Earn 85,000 points after spending $3000 in 3 months, $99/annual fee.
- Southwest Priority Credit Card - Earn 85,000 points after spending $3000 in 3 months, $149/annual fee.
- British Airways - Signature Card - Earn 100,000 Avios after spending $7500 in 6 months, $95/annual fee.
LIMITED TIME DEALS:
- IHG Traveler Chase card - 100,000 points after spending $2000 in 3 months - $0/annual fee.
- Southwest Plus Chase card - 50,000 points after spending $1000 in 3 months - $69/annual fee.
- Southwest Premier Chase card - 50,000 points after spending $1000 in 3 months - $99/annual fee.
- Southwest Priority Chase card - 50,000 points after spending $1000 in 3 months - $149/annual fee.
- Delta Platinum Business Amex card - 65,000 miles after spending $6000 in 6 months - $350/annual fee.
- Delta Reserve Business Amex card - 75,000 miles after spending $10,000 in 6 months - $650/annual fee.
- Delta Gold Business Amex card - 55,000 miles after spending $4000 in 6 months - Annual fee waived first year, then $150/annual fee.
- Delta Platinum Amex card - 50,000 miles after spending $3000 in 6 months - $350/annual fee.
- Delta Gold Amex card - 40,000 miles after spending $2000 in 6 months - Annual fee waived first year, then $150/annual fee.
- AA Executive Citi card - 70,000 miles after spending $7000 in 3 months - $595/annual fee.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card - 75,000 Points after spending $3000 in 3 months, $69/annual fee.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card - 75,000 Points after spending $3000 in 3 months, $99/annual fee.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card - 75,000 Points after spending $3000 in 3 months, $149/annual fee.
Southwest is offering a nice sign up bonus of 75,000 bonus points on 3 of their personal cards right now after spending $3000 in 3 months:
1. Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus - $99 annual fee.
2. Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier - $99 annual fee.
3. Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority - $149 annual fee.
